Expansible drum



G. E. KENTIS, JR

EXPANSIBLE DRUM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1945 n mwlvmwwwmm NHINMMMMW HHH Hm a u 7% w luwmyn N .MQ EN Aug. 14, 1951 G. E. KEN1-1S, JR 2,564,432

EXPANSIBLE DRUM Filed Aug. 4, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 :I E* 3L- IN VEN TOR. @zg G50/Q of E. KENT/.5, JR.

5M fj. 0m

ATTORNEY Aug. 14, 1951 G. E. KENTIS, JR

EXPANSIBLE DRUM 6 Sheet-sfSheet 5 Filed Aug. 4, 1945 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. KENTIS JR.

G. E. KENTIS, JR

EXPANSIBLE DRUM Aug. 14, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 4, 1945 INVENTOR.

Aug. 14, 1951 G. E. KEN-ns, JR 2,564,482

' EXPANSIBLE DRUM Filed Aug. 4, 1945 5 l 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 X Fl G. 9

INVENTOR. GEORGE E. KENTIS JR.

Patented Aug. 14, 1951 2,564,482 N4EXPANSIBLE DRUM `George E. :Kentis, JrgHFairVew Village, Ohiofas- :signor to :The Yoder .Company, .Cleveland, Ohio,v

aeorporation of .Ohio

ApplicationfAug-ust 4,v 1945,1SerialN0. 608,913

-il'ifClaimSp (Cl. 242---72) This invention relates to J a coiling '.andiuncoib.

ing mechanism` for sheet materiaLLmore .par.

ticularly a sectional drum.onxwhichsheet4 metal'- which is to be Vcoiled.` for-handling1uncoiled.` for processing (surface treatingfheating, normalizing-edging, slitting-'or shaping) .or reooiiedfaf-.ter

beingv 'processed or `operated .uponfreadyifor fout.-

ting into lengths or for fabrication.

One object ofV the inventionxisxtoiprovideaan.improved drum of this'y typeV consisting of-aiplurality of movable sections supported for? movementtradially outwardly and inwardlyand means forxsubstantially simultaneously operating :the zsections, whereby the rdrum may :be expanded cor contracted.

In all drums of 'thistype,:of fWhichiiI..;have

knowledge, one yor imore sections .'thereof*were` xed-to a supporting shaftior zrod,.so,.that.;only a y.portion ofy the drum '.was: operated radially in either direction. In some :constructions tof..`V this form the expanding and Acontracting.'meansoperated on one -movable drum sectionwhich .inzturn controlled 'or actuated the `remaining .fmovabl'e section or sections-ofv the. drum. .thiszformofz construction difficulty resulted in. soA positioning the sections wheniexpanded, 'that..they andthe xed drum sectionformed. atrueacircle and/or in preventing one foffthe movable rsections :from yielding inwardly. due to thepressure ofithe'material. thereon during'. coilingfor winding .'thereofi.

Where a non-:circular conditioncexisted forany. reason, one edge of one. movable :section i'woul'd be. off-set relative .to the adjacent edgeoflthe adjoining movablefsection, the .eiect'of fi'whichl formed a distorted rporti'onA in.the.iii'rst'sandfsucz-l ceeding convolutions :of the material as fcoiling tookY place. "I'ofeliminate the diiiiculty-.a-bove.l referred to,another `object of the inventionisto provide an improved drum yall sections of'fwhich.' are expansible and contractable, havingmeansfor substantially: simultaneously' operatingrallthe sections radially outwardly a predeterminedsdisI-- tance.

Another object of the invention is to'provide'an improved drum'- of'lthisrtype:consisting.ofrmovable sections wherein the .supports sand. operating means therefor are imaterially "simpliedfand readily assembled.V

.Another object of the; invention: isctofprovide in a drum of thisitype consistingtof. a'rotatablezshait. and movable drum.sections,.Limprovedqmeans for'.

supporting and guiding .the sections: during'their movement to and; fron'rtheir texpandedigposition.

.Anotherfobject-'ofiv the-.inventionis to.pro.vi-de an improved` drum :consisting .of..radially.jmoyable.

sections andV operating means therefor.; arrangedto rigidly support the sections whenv in expanded position to resist inward movement thereof.

A furtherobject'of the invention isftol provide, in a drum of this type, improved means-.forsecuringor'clamping the end of the sheet" material tothe drum.

-Other objects of the invention'will-.beapparenttothose skilled in thel art to whichi my-invention relatesifrom the following description taken in connection with the-'accompanying drawings, wherein l Fig; 1 is alongitudinalfsection'showing a drum embodying my invention, taken '.on'thelinerl--I of Fig. 2.

Fig.' la is a sectional view-showingfthe"drive mechanism forthe vshaft `and Huid eoperated mechanism.

Fig- 2 isra section partly von the line'212,.partly on the line 2a-2a of Fig. 1.

.Fig..3. is afragmentary endelevationofcthe drum .showing .the clamping means f for 1 the.-.end portion.othe'material .Fig...4 isa fragmentary isectionzon .the .line

2er- Zapf Fig. 1, butshowing .the apositionnfithe. clamping parts .When-clamping thematerialfto.

theshaft.

. Fig.:4o isfanenlarged-.viewr of theclamp.

Fig,v 5 Lis.. aV fragmentary.sectionon.v the 1ine:.-5. 5 of Figs. .2 and 4 (enlarged).

Fig. `5a isafragmentarysection substantially.

onzthealine 5er-5a of Fig.` 3 (enlarged).

.1T.'ig.A .6 is a fragmentary longitudinalssection'p the drumshowing thedrum sections .thereofin expanded,.position.on theline 6--6 .ofrFig.:7.

Fig. .7 is a section partly .onthe lineal-Tand partlyon the` line Ia-1a. of Fig..6.

Fig..;8 isa viewsimilarzto. Fig. .1 abut showing :a

modified form' of construction, 1 taken.on;the. line.

8-8 ofY Fig. 10,. andshowing'the drum'isections irrcon-tractedposition.

Fig. 9-.is a view similar to Fig.,.8^but.showing theH entirety at feonsisting ofl afplurality-.of sections 3.a' all .of which are movable. radiallyoi thefaxis.

ofnthe .shaft I, asxlater set forth. Thetdrive means :for the' shaftzl preferably :consists-.efe afgear.

im. keyed thereto z and .disposed I:betweenthe 1 sup n example, hydraulically operated means later re-` ferred to.

I preferably provide four drum sections 3a, the

outer surfaces of which are curved on a prede- .l

termined radius to provide a true cylinder (except for the spacing between the sections when expanded) when they are 1n expanded position.

Each of the sections 3a. is movably connected` to the drum shaft in the following manner: indicates a guide member carried by the shaft I and 5b indicates a recess formed in the inner wall of the adjacent drum section, the side walls of the recess slidably fitting the opposite sides of the guide memberr. Each of the guide elements 5 is xedly mounted in a recess 5a formed in the shaft I. The guide elements 5 and recesses 5b therefor are elongated longitudinally of the shaft I, so as to provide adequate bearing surfaces therebetween. 5 indicates as an entirety spring operated means which yieldingly connect each section 3a to the shaft and operate to normally maintain it in contracted position and in assembled relation thereto and the other drum sections 3a. The connecting means 5 for each section consist of spaced sets of devices 5 disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the section, whereas the connecting and guiding members 5 are disposed between and in line with the sets of devices 6.

As later set forth, the sets of devices t for each section 3a are arranged to limit the expanding or radial outward movement thereof, to prevent disengagement of the guide element 5 from the side walls of the recess '5b when the drum section is in its expanded position (see Fig. 7).

Each set of devices 6 for each drum section consists of the Yfollowing: 6a indicates a recess formed in the outer surface of the shaft I and preferably having a circular side wall. For reasons later apparent, the axis of the recess 8a is disposed on a radius midway the opposite side` edges of the adjacent drum section. I indicates a supporting element mounted in the shaft I and extending radially of its axis outwardly axially of the recess 6a. The element I preferably ccnsists of a screw threaded at its inner end into an inwardly extending threaded opening la formed in the bottom wall of the recess 5a and extending outwardly therefrom into a through opening 8 formed in the adjacent drum section 3a. The screw 'I is of a length to terminate at its outer end inwardly of the outer surface of the drum section 3a when the latter is in contracted position (see' Figs. 1 and 2). The outer portion of the opening 8 is enlarged to form an annular shoulder 8a. 9 indicates an' annular member surrounding the screw 'I and adapted to be seated in the recess 6a when the adjacent drum section is in contracted position, as shown in Fig. 1. The annular member 9 is provided at its outer end with a laterally extending flange 9a. which engages the shoulder 8a. The inner end of the member 9 is provided with an inward-v ly extending flange 9b which slidably engages the screw 1. A spring I0 is coiled around the screw I and interposed between a collar or head on its outer end and the flange 9b and normally tends to move the annular member 9 inwardly and the drum section 3a therewith through the engagement of the flange 9a with the shoulder 8a.

When the drum sections 3a are expanded outwardly by a mechanism indicated as an entirety at II, the annular members 9 movetherewith, due to the engagement of the shoulders 8a with the flanges 9a, the annular members being guided in this movement by their engagement with the screws I and side walls of the recesses 6a (see Figs. 6 and 7). In this form of construction the springs Il! co-act with the screws 'I and the annular members 9 to yieldingly maintain all of the sections in contracted position, but permit expansion of the drum sections, as later set forth. As will be observed fromV Figs. 6 and 7, when the drum sections 3a are expanded, the springs III are compressed between the heads of the screws 1 and flange 9b and accordingly operate to limit` the expansion or outward movement of the drum sections; also, due to the fact that the annular members 9 of the devices 6 for each drum section 3a engage the walls of the recess 6a and opening 8, the drum section is held against endwise movement.

The operating mechanism I I for expanding the drum sections 3a and releasing them for movement under the influence of the springs Il) consist of a set of co-acting elements Ila between the shaft I and each drum section and an operating member or head I2 rotatably mounted on the outer end of the thrust member 4 for simultaneously operating the movable elements ofthe sets of elements I Ia for all of the drum sections. I preferably provide two sets of elements IIa for each drum section 3a disposed at opposite sides of and equal distances from the adjacent guiding and connecting members 5 and spring operated means 5', whereby non-radial forces or stresses thereon are eliminated and radial movement of the .drum sections result. Each set of co-acting elements IIa for each drum section 3a. consists of a bar I3 slidably fitting an elongated recess I6 formed in the shaft I and extending longitudinally thereof (that is, from a point adjacent the bearing 2 outwardly) and a bar I3 xedly seated in an elongated recess I3 formed in and extending longitudinally of the inner wall of the adjacent drum section 3a, preferably from end to end thereof. The bar I3 may be secured in its seat I3 by a plurality of counter-sunk cap screws |333. The outer end of the bar I3 is rigidly connected to the operating member I2 by cap screws I2a. The bar I3 is provided on its outer side with spaced cams I5 each consisting of an inclined wall |50. and a contiguous dwell wall I5b, whereas the inner side of the bar I3 is provided with spaced cams I5 each consisting of an inclined wall Ic and a contiguous dwell wall I5b, these walls Ia, I5b', being reversely related with respect to the walls |50., lh, to provide for f the co-action therebetween. By preference, the

cutaway IB serves as one of the inclined walls Ia and the outer surface of the bar contiguous thereto serves as the adjacent dwell walllt'ab'.`

By providing co-acting'inclined walls I5a, I5a.,V

on -both bars I3, I3', a relatively short initial movement of the bars I3 will serve to expand the' drum sectionsthe desired distance and permit a walls |517,A IEU; in engagement, so that the drum sectionswhen;in expanded position, will have adequate support to resist inward stresses Adue to coiling of the material thereon.

The inner wall of the shaft I adjacent its outer end isA recessed to accommodate a bushing I'I in whichthe thrust member 4 is slidably mounted. The shoulder 4a provided on the thrust member 4 adjacent its'outer end the member forms a seat for an innerseal'ring I8. An anti-friction'bearing I9 is mounted between the ring I8 and an'outer seal ring l2li andseatedinan annular' recess 2I formed inthe member I2. A nut 22Y threaded'on thefouterfend of the/member d'fengages the seal ringI 20;whereas-an annular plate 23 secured to the-member I2A -by -cap screws A'23a engages the bearingfIPf tdsecure it inthe member I2. 24 indicates a cap removably secured to -the member I2 bycap screws-24a. I

y'25 indicates as an entirety devices for removably-clamping the end portion'of the sheet material to vtheshaft I when it is to be coiled on the drum sections 3a. The devices 25 are mounted. in an .open sided box or housing 26 Athebottom wall-2.6. of which is secured by counter-sunk cap screwsLZ'Ba to the .outer wall of the shaft. I. The'boxnis mounted betweentwo of the drum sections 3a and extends longitudinally of the shaft Iirom apoint adjacent its bearings 2 to the outerend-thereof, the sidewalls of .the adjacent drum sections being cutawayiromvend to; end to vaccommodate lthe box. The clamping devices 25,.consist of4 a pair of related members 2l, 21a, movably mounted in the box 2G and relatively movable to engage and disengage the sheet,.material A. The memberszl, 21a, are preferably formed ora plurality of .endwise related Ysections 21', 2'1", respectively `(see Figs. 5 and a), .so as to compensate for any unevenf ness inthe sheet material A when the latteris clamped. The sections 2'1" are formed 4`with through openings 23 in .each of which is mounted ascrew 28a thr eaded into the bottomwalll'. The outer portion of each opening 23is enlarged o-accommodate a spring 29 which surrounds ,the adjacent screw v.28aandis interposed between the-.head of the latter and the bottom wall of the y,enlarged .portion of the v`opening 28. The springs `v2.9 ,operate normally to move the ;sec tions 2l inwardly. The outer sides of the clamping sections 2l are provided withlongitudinally Iextending'alined ribs 30 which lslidably engage the bottom .wall of a recess 30a formed inthe adjacent side wall of the .box 26 (see Fig. 4).,.to cooperate with the screws 28a to guide the-.sections 21" inwardly .under the influence ofthe springs 29 and outwardly due to the operation.of.co.acting cams 3I,.3I,a (later referred to). The. inner sides of the sections 2l, attheir inner endsare provided with projectingledges 32 on which the sections 2l forming the clampingnmember'21 may slide towardand from the sections .21." during .movement of the latter. The. outer-side of each clamping section 21 is formed with a longitudinally extending recess 33., the bottom wall of .which is shaped to providethe vcams 3l. 34 indicates a thrust device disposed between the clamping sections 2l and the adjacent side wall of the box 2S and provided on its innerside with the cams 3Ia, each arranged to co-act with one of the cams 3L As shownin Figs. 2 and 4, the side vwall of the box 2G is formed with a longitudinally extending recess1x25n2`,.:the `walls of vwhich guide thethrust device 34 endwise inwardly and outwardly, whereas; the side wallsifof the recesses `33 over lap the sides of the thrust device I'34, f whereby the-latter prevents dislocation of thecla-mping sections l2'I whenin'normal-or non-clampingposition, but are spaced sufliciently topermit movement of these sections -when 4operated -to and "from-their clamping position. T'he'outer endl of the Vthrust devicel34-is secured byfscrews 34a-to a lug-35, Lwhich-ispreferably formedvin-A tegrally on the sidewalloi the operating memberYVIZ-'isee-Fig). whereby the thrust/devices moves-with the latter in either-direction. Accordingly-,f-when the operating memberv I2 is opf eri-ated: outwardly by the thrust memberY 4*'to1expandethefdrumisectionsSa, the cams @3I, 31a, willco-actto move the sections 2' towardithe clamping member 27a. When -the "clamping members 21,' Zla, are in normal position `(that is, the drum sections 3aare in retracted'lpos'i tion (seeFig. 1) and the thrustdevice E34is'in the-position shown in Fig.;5a) themember 21a is in engagement with the bottomiwall'ZBaeand the-:clamping elements 2l are spaced fromlthe member 12'Iaand form a throat-to 'receive-the end portion ofy the sheet material, f' as shownin Fig. 2.v Upon insertion of the-sheet materiali'n the throat. yandoperation of the operating mem-Y ber I2 outwardly to expandthe'drum-'sections 3a' and -movement of v the thrust' device 34I outwardly, `the clamping sections -2I' wllbe-forced by the latter against the sheetvmaterialand-the pressure-will be exerted through the l material against v theA clamping member 21a and'move the latter outwardly-in opposition-to thetension-of theisprings 29, and-thereby'provide ayieldable vc-:lamping-eifect Von the material'between the clamping sections 2' and the clamping-member 21a as shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Figs. 2 kand 4, the active-faces of the clamping v members lZ'l, Y 2la, are vdisposed in planes tangential to `imaginary -circles concentr-icto the axisof the shaft I and' movement of thewrnember 2l is in a--direction-substantially at right angles tothe active face ofthe member 21A-a, so-th-at the pressure exerted on fthe latter, inI clamping the material to the drum, is in an outward direction and results in moving v4the member 2'r'a longitudinally of the screws 23a. By'spacingof the `side walls of the recesses l33, formed -in lthe clamping sections 2ly the'latter are free to move outwardly withtheclamping member `Zla in exerting pressure through'lthe material `thereto to effectively clampthematerial. .Following the clampingof the material `to therdrum, thelatter may be rotated to coiltthe material thereon. Upon movement ofethe operatingfmember I2 and thrust device 34 inwardly thelamping devices will4 disengage the material and vthe drum sections will be collapsed .or .retracted, due lto operation of the members S .under the Jiniiuence of the springs it, Y,fol-lowing which "the coiledzmaterialmay.be removed from the fdrum.

'The form of constructionshownin Figs. `lzto l7,'inclusive, may be employed as Yan'uncoilerfof a coil of sheet-material. In thisemployment, the drum sections [3a are iirst retracted, the coil iSthen .positioned on .the drum :and the drum sections expanded ito grip the coil, .fthe clamping devices. 25, although-operatedasfabove set. sforth, .being inactive.

The hydraulically operated rmeansgfor endwise moving the thrustxmember 4 oonsistsothefollowing r3 'Iindicates a :supplementalsupporthavi ing a through opening 31a, axially alined with opening in the shaft I for the thrust member 4.v The supplemental support 31 is preferably mounted on a bracket (not shown) provided on the support 2:13. The outer end of the supplemental support 31 is suitably secured to the inner head 38 of a cylinder 33a. The thrust member 4 extends through the opening 31a into the cylinder 38 and is provided at its inner end with a piston 39. The shaft 4 intermediate the opposite ends of the opening 31a'r is provided with a key 40 slidably fitting an elongated groove 'or way 31h formed in the inner wall of the opening 31a, the engagement of the key 40 with the walls of the groove 31h serving to prevent rotation of the thrust member 4. The endwise movement of the thrust member 4 is effected by supplying fluid (gas or oil) under pressure into the cylinder 38a to either side of the piston 39 and discharging the iiuid from the cylinder at the opposite side of the piston. As shown cylinder heads 38, 38', are provided with ducts 4I, 41a, respectively, the inner ends of which terminate within the cylinder 38a. The outer ends of the ducts 4l, 4Ia, are connected with fluid circulating pipes 42, 42a, respectively. The pipes 42, 42a, lead from a valve mechanism having connection with a pump and a reservoir (not shown), the valve mechanism being operable to selectively supply iiuid under pressure through one pipe to one end of the cylinder 38a (dependent on the direction in which the thrust member is to be moved) and permit discharge of the fluid from the other end thereof for return through the adjacent pipe to the reservoir. The valve mechanism may be similar in construction to that shown in the Letters Patent No. 2,351,894 to E. W. Allardt.

Figs. 8 to '11, inclusive, illustrate a modified embodiment of my invention adapted to be employed specifically for uncoiling a coil of sheet material, for which reason clamping devices for the end portion of the material are omitted. The shaft I may be rotatably supported and driven in the manner already set forth. The drum sections 3a' are mounted on the shaft l by parts similar to that shown in Figs. l, 2, 6 and 7 and by separate spring operated means 5x, which are also similar to like parts shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7. The operating means Il' are like- Wise similar to like parts shown in these figures, except that the co-acting cams indicated at x, |59." between the bars |32 and drum sections 3a', respectively, consist of relative long inclined co-acting surfaces, so that after a coil of material is positioned on the drum, the operating member l2 may be operated to move all of the bars 13e endwise; in the movement of the bars |32, the cams 52: thereon will co-act with the cams l5m on the drum sections 3a' to expand the latter into engagement with the coil under pressure to rigidly secure it thereto, as will be understood from Fig. 9. In this form of construction, the thrust member 4 and operating member I2 are moved outwardly to permit retraction of the drum sections 3a under the influence ofthe springs IU' (see Figs. 8 and 10) and moved inwardly to expand the drum sections.3a (see Figs. 9 and l1) as above set forth. 36 indicates an annular wall fixed to the shaft l inwardly of the drum sections 3a.r to form a stop for the coil when positioned thereon.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applicaatomicaL s tionsV of the invention will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense. limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a shaft and supporting means for one end of said shaft, of a plurality of arcuate sections surrounding said shaft outwardly of said supporting means therefor and related to form a drum, radially extending guide means between said shaft and each drum section for guiding the latter radially and consisting of a recess formed inone part and a device on the other part slidably iitting said recess, connections between said shaft and each drum section intermediate the ends thereof for movably connecting it thereto and prevent endwise movement of the section relative to said shaft, and means between said shaft and said drum sections and movable independently of said shaft for moving the sections outwardly.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connections for each drum section include a spring operated member and the spring therefor is put under tension when the drum section is moved outwardly.

3. An ap-paratus as claimed in claim l wherein the radially extending guide means consist of an elongated recess formed in each drum section and an elongated bar for each recess fixed to said shaft and the connections between each section and said shaft are disposed in line with and at opposite ends of the adjacent elongated bar.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the drum sections outwardly consists cf sets of coacting endwise relatively movable elements, a head fixed to the movable elements, power mechanism associated with said shaft supporting means and connections extending through and movable relative to said shaft between said mechanism and said head for operating the latter.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the drum sections outwardly consist of co-acting elements carried by said shaft and each drum section, a head connected f to the elements carried by said shaft, and means i when moved, means for moving said drum sections radially outwardly, said moving means consisting of a set of co-acting elements between and carried by each drum section and said shaft,

' a thrust member extending through said hollow shaft, power means connected to the inner end of said thrust member for reciprocating it, a head carried by the outer end of said thrust member and connected to the co-acting elements carried by said shaft, and means for moving said drum sections radially inwardly.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the head is rotatably mounted on the outer end of said thrust member.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a hollow shaft rotatably-'m'ountedfat one end of said'supportymeans for'rotating said'shaft, a plurality of arcuate sections related to form adrum andmovable radially relative to said'shaft, connections between each said section" and said shaft for supporting it thereon. and arranged tol guide Said section radially when moved, means for moving ysaid drum sectionsradially outwardly, said moving means consisting of sets of co-acting elements between and carried by each drum section and said shaft at opposite sides of the connections for said drum section, a thrust. member .extending through said hollow shaft, power means connected to the inner end of said thrustmem-ber for reciprocating it, a head carried by the outer end of said thrust member and connected to the co-acting elements carried by said shaft, and meansfor moving said drum sections radiallyl inwardly.u

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination .with a support, of a shaft rotatably mountedat one end in said support, means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of arcuate sections. related to form a drum and movable radially relative to. said shaft, means for moving` said drlum sections radially outwardly, longitudinally L spaced spring operated means between said shaft and each drum section for connecting the latter to said shaft and for moving the section radially inwardly, and separate connections between said shaft and each said section intermediate of and in line with said spaced spring operated means for guiding said section radially when moved in either direction.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a shaft rotatably mounted at one end in said'support, means for rotating said shaft, a drum on which sheet material may be coiled, consisting of a plurality of arcuate sections movably radially relative to said shaft, slidably related elements between said shaft and each said drum section for supporting the section on said shaft and arranged to guide the section radially when moved, means operable in one direction for moving said drum sections radially outwardly, means for moving said drum sections inwardly radially when the firstmentioned moving means are operated in the opposite direction, and means for clamping the end of the sheet material to said shaft, said clamping means consisting of a pair of relatively movable elements movably mounted in the side wall of the shaft between adjacent drum sections, and means actuated by said first mentioned moving means for moving said elements into engagement with the material.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein one of said clamping elements is normally held in non-clamping position by a spring which is put under tension when said elements are operated to clamp the material, whereby said spring moves said element to release the material when said first mentioned moving means are operated in the opposite direction.

l2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a shaft rotatably mounted at one end in said support, means for rotating said shaft, a drum on which sheet material may be coiled, consisting of a plurality of arcuate sections, means between said shaft and each said drum section for supporting the section on said shaft for movement radially thereof and arranged to guide the section radially when moved, means operable in one direction for moving said drum sections radially outwardly, and means for clamping the end of the sheet material to said shaft, said clamping means Lconsistingiof a housing fixed to and extending longitudinally of said shaft between adjacent drum sections, a clamping member mounted'in4 said housing -to slide outwardly and inwardly and* arranged to engage one side of the sheet material, a spring engaging said member and normally tending to move it inwardly, a separate member mounted in said housing and movable toward and from said rst mentioned member forv engaging the -opposite side of the sheet material, and means actuated by the movement of said moving means for moving saidy last mentioned member toward said first mentioned-member and exert pressure thereon through the material to'movethe'iirst mentioned element outwardly to put said spring-'un'- der tension, whereby the vmaterial l-is resiliently clamped between said clamping members.

13. In apparatus of the class'described, the

combination with a support, of a shaft rotatably mounted at one end in said'support, means for rotating said shaft, a drumon which sheet material may be coiled, consisting of a plurality of arcuate sections, means between said shaft and each said drum section for supporting'the section on said shaft for movement radially thereof and arranged'to guide the section Aradially-when moved, means for moving said drum sections radially outwardly, said moving means including a set of coacting elements between said shaft and each said drum section and a head connected to the elements carried by said shaft for moving said elements longitudinally of said shaft, and means for clamping the end of the sheet material to said shaft, said clamping means consisting of a housing fixed to and extending longitudinally of said shaft between adjacent drum sections, a clamping member mounted in said housing to slide outwardly and inwardly and arranged to engage one side of the sheet material, a spring engaging said member and normally tending to move it inwardly, a separate member mounted in said housing and movable toward and from said first mentioned member for engaging the opposite side of the sheet material, a device mounted in said housing to move endwise therein, operating connections between said head and said device, and co-acting elements between said device and the last mentioned clamping member, for moving the latter toward said first mentioned clamping member and exert pressure thereon through the material to move the first mentioned member outwardly to put said spring under tension, whereby the material is resiliently clamped between said clamping members.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a shaft rotatably mounted at one end therein, a drum consisting of a plurality of arcuate sections movable radially outwardly and inwardly relative to said shaft, slidably related elements carried by said shaft and each drum section disposed midway between the longitudinal side edges of the latter arranged to guide the section radially, a plurality of members mounted in and projecting radially from said shaft, one for each drum section disposed in alinement with the adjacent slidably related elements for said drum section, a collar on the outer end of each projecting member, an annular member surrounding each projecting member and movably seated in the adjacent drum section for movement relative to said projecting member and provided at its inner end with an inwardly extending flange, a spring between each said collar and the adjacent flange and normally exerting `pressure on said ange to move the adjacent drum section inwardlyradially, and means for moving said drum sections outwardly radially against the tension of said springs.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the slidably related elements between said shaft and each of said sections consist of a longitudinally extending recess formed in the inner wall of the drum section and an elongated guide member carried by said shaft and extending into said recess and having sliding engagement with the `side Walls thereof.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the moving means for each drum section engage therewith at opposite sides of the slidably related elements for the drum section.

17. In apparatus for coiling sheet material, the combination with a support, of a rotatable shaft mounted at one end thereon, a drum having sections movably mounted on said shaft, means for operating said movable sections, and means for clamping the end of the material in xed relation to the drum, said clamping means consisting of a box or housing xed to and extending longitudinally of said shaft, a clamping member for engaging one side of the material, slidably mounted in said box for movement outwardly and inwardly, a spring engaging said member and normally tending to move it inwardly, a separate clamping member for engaging the opposite side of the material, and means between said separate clamping member and the adjacent wall of said box for moving said member toward said first mentioned clamping member to clamp the material therewith and exert pressure through the material and move said first mentioned member outward in opposition to the tension of said spring, whereby the material is yieldingly clamped between said members.

GEORGE E. KEN'IIS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

